Chap Goh Meh 元宵节

Today is the last day for Chinese New Year, and it is called as Chap Goh Meh in Hokkien, while in chinese is 元宵节. Chap Goh Meh also known as Chinese Valentine Day.

I went to Penang Chinese Town Hall there after my class finished at 5pm because there will be an event held for Chap Goh Meh Celebration. As you can see from above photo, I went there to help Fo Yi Haemoedialysis Centre 佛义洗肾中心 and sell mandarins to raise fund for the centre. The mandarins can throw to a wishing well which designed by Penang Chinese Town Hall. This traditional culture we called as Throw Mandarin 抛柑.

Cherry Blossom

Mandarins in basket, ready to go and sell to public.

Helpers from Fo Yi were helping on distributed the mandarins into baskets.

My group and are we ready to go? Yes!!!

Group photo with friends.

Thanks for the donations, your contribution towards the centre is much appreciated.

Let you all have a look for the wishing well, is it nice decorated?

The pool inside, with lots of mandarins.

Crowded around the wishing well, and the public were started to throw mandarins.

How cute, a little girl is going to throw mandarin.

I was called to be MC for a while, just to urge the public to donate more money. =p I need to work hard to be a proper MC.

This event surely wont miss out for the Lions Dance also.

Forgot to mention just now, around the wishing well got 4 areas or sections which got different wishes for public to throw mandarins. Above is Career.

Wealth. I need more on this, Vitamin M!!! Money!!! Gosh...

Love. For most of the youngters, this area will be the hottest spot for them.

Not to forget Health also.

I managed to take my own photo while helping around.

The hawker stall beside the event, crowded as always.

The view of wishing well in night time.

Again again again, crowded!!!

Baba and nyonya

The main stage for this event

Kids performance

Cultural dance performance

Took photo with Kok ah Kok and Dragon, and we are bloggers.

Melissa with me, a long time friend who I did not meet for a quite long time. Quite a pretty girl right?

During this event, I being hit by two mandarins while I did the MC job, one is head and stomach. Is it the sign for me to keep fit and stay smatter? I hoped so. =p

Nest post, supper at Chulia Street. Stay tuned.

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Chinese New Year passed already for this year 2008, for you folks want to know more about where I went to during my Chinese New Year, just visit the below:

Kek Lok Si during CNY (Can visit this for recent photos at Kek Lok Si)
拜天公 (Celestial God) (The traditional event for Hokkien people)
CNY Celebration 2008 文化庙会 (Highlighted on 12 Chinese Traditional Festivals)

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